Secrets of Happy Couples (in 100 Words or Less)

it's our bond!

Marcus Samuelsson, 38, chef-owner of Aquavit restaurant, and Maya Haile, 27, model; married six monthsMH: Marcus was born in Ethiopia, raised in Sweden and then moved to Harlem. I was born in Ethiopia, raised in Holland and then moved to…Harlem. How many people have experienced those things? Right away our shared backgrounds were something we connected on. And we both love basketball.

MS: She kicks my ass in basketball! Also, Maya translates so much for me—not just words, but culturally. When my sisters call with a problem, she takes the phone. I can't give advice—unless it's about cooking. Before Maya, my primary relationship was with food. Luckily, she loves to eat!

it's humor!

Akiva Schaffer, 31, writer-director for Saturday Night Live and member of The Lonely Island, a comedy troupe, and Liz Cackowski, 31, writer for NBC's Community and cowriter and star of The Jeannie Tate Show*; dating four years*

LC: We met in Los Angeles working for the MTV Movie Awards. I had a huge crush. I practiced saying his name: A-KEE-va. One night I straight-out told him, "I like you."

AS: I was flattered and a little terrified. We dated casually long-distance for a year. Then I got a job in New York, where she lived—at SNL, where she worked. It was time to have The Conversation: Were we 100 percent together, or zero? It was all very logical, like, "Well, we can always break up!"

it's family!

Jennifer Cora, 38, business manager, and Cat Cora, 42, Food Network's first and only female Iron Chef; married eight years

CC: We met on a ski trip. Before Jen, I never believed in love at first sight. After a year she went to Paris for work. I followed, bought a ring and champagne and took her to the Eiffel Tower.

JC: I was clueless, wanted a burger.

CC: I proposed in French. She didn't understand but said, "Oui!" We wore traditional white wedding dresses. Now we have three sons. Jen carried my embryo for number three, and I'm pregnant with number four, hers!

JC: But, really, we're an ordinary couple.

CC: It's true. We're so blessed to have been able to create our own destiny.

it's acceptance!

*Touré, 38, NBC correspondent and author, and Rita Nakouzi, 34, director of Promostyl, a trend-forecasting and design agency; married four years *

RN: He approached me at a Lenny Kravitz concert and asked for my cell number, work number and e-mail. He said, "I want your mom's number." I am definitely more reserved. Except for when we almost didn't get married.

TOURÉ: She hated the ring I got her.

RN: Everyone thought I was crazy, but I wanted it to be perfect the way I wanted our marriage to be! He understood. Now our fights are usually by e-mail.

TOURÉ: So she can't hear me yelling. At this point, though, our two kids generally win. We're just trying to maintain the lowest level of chaos possible.

it's faith!

Luis Ribagorda, 25, corps de ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Sarah Lane, 25, soloist, American Ballet Theatre; married two years

SL: I broke up with him about 5 million times. I grew up in a very Christian, controlled family. He's a laid-back Catholic. I wasn't sure it could work. Finally I realized I was happier, more myself, when I was with him. So we got married. It's not that common for two dancers.

LR: We are together most of the hours of the day, and the ballet world is very intense. We fight a lot.

SL: But not about big things anymore!

LR: And when we get to dance together, the intensity becomes absolutely amazing.

it's teamwork!

Philippe Von Borries, 29, creative director and founder of style website refinery29.com, and Piera Gelardi, 29, style director of refinery29.com; married four years

PVB: January 2004 I visited a friend in NYC and noticed this holiday card, a photo strip of a woman with a mask and a noisemaker. I asked to be set up. For seven months, we were fixtures on a D.C.-NYC Delta flight. Finally I moved, and we got married.

PG: He's a digital media guy, and I love fashion, so we started a style website. Working and living together is a lot, but we've kept certain things separate.

PVB: Like, we don't exercise together. And I prefer commuting alone.

PG: Every Christmas, though, we smoosh into a photo booth for our card!